James Richard "Jim" Cyrus

James “Jim” Richard Cyrus, 79, of Wichita Falls, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2014. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 2, 2015 at the Cowboy Church of Iowa Park. Graveside services with full military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery under the direction of Dutton Funeral Home in Iowa Park.

Jim was born on March 29, 1935 in Washington Court House, Ohio to Dorothy Jordan and Homer Cyrus where he resided until he joined the United States Air Force. He married the love of his life AlaVerta “Bertie” McKnight on October 12, 1953. They celebrated their 61st Anniversary in October.

Jim started his Air Force career in 1953 and retired from active duty service in 1979. He saw service in the Vietnam Conflict, participating in the hazardous duty of recovering downed US and allied aircraft where he was wounded. He spent most of his 26 year Air Force career as a Flight Engineer on various aircraft including the B-29, the KC-97, and the C-124 Globemaster II. After retirement from active duty, Jim continued to serve the country via Civil Service. After Civil Service he was employed by Ratheon Corp until retirement. His later years were spent around his loving family and tending to his ranch. He was a great dad and a loving grandfather. He held several degrees and various professional licenses.

He is survived by his wife, Bertie Cyrus; son Steven Cyrus and wife, Jeannette of London, England; four daughters, Sheryl Kingcade and husband Gerald of Iowa Park; Sandy Thompson and husband, Tom of Carrollton; Barbara Cyrus of Wichita Falls; and Jaymie Nix of Wichita Falls; six grandchildren: Chelsea Salas and husband, Tony; Melissa Nix, Katherine Cyrus, Stephanie Cyrus, Hallie Thompson, Philip Thompson, and three great grandchildren, Allie, Haigen and Cade. He is also survived by his sister, Lynda Williams of Washington C.H., Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Dorothy Cyrus; brothers, Robert and Jack Cyrus, sister, Vivian Cyrus Bryson, and one great grandson, Hunter Salas.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 1, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home.